George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much indeed, Senator Xenophon, the issues you raise are very important issues indeed. Our region, the Indo-Pacific has, as you know, Senator, enjoyed a long period of peace and security—over 70 years in fact—underpinned by the strong stabilising presence of the United States, which has enabled an unprecedented pace of economic growth and opportunity.

Looking out over the period to 2035, it is fair to acknowledge that we will face a more uncertain regional and global security environment. That is why Australia strongly supports the United States' continued presence in the Indo-Pacific and its rebalance of forces to our region. Senator Xenophon, you referred to the AUSMIN talks, which Senator Payne and Ms Bishop have attended this week in Washington with their American counterparts. Those issues were underlined in the communique of the AUSMIN talks, which I have with me and to which I would invite your attention.

We are also seeing power relationships in the Indo-Pacific become more complex as global strategic weight continues to shift to the region. By 2050, almost half of the world's economic output is expected to come from the Indo-Pacific. We also recognise that there is growing complexity in the region. The roles of the United States and China, as well as the relationship between them, will continue to be particularly important factors in the dynamics of the region. Australia is committed to working with our American ally and other regional nations to ensure stability. Australia's development of a new defence white paper demonstrates our own commitment to transparency in strategic and capability planning. The white paper will set out the government's vision for Australia's security over the next 20 years, taking into account our strategic circumstances, including considerations of the kind to which you have referred in your question.